Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park (利尻礼文サロベツ国立公園) located in the northern Hokkaido between Rishiri Island, Rebun Island, Toyotomi Town and Horonobe Town is the northernmost national park in Japan, and has been designated as the national park since 1974. The area is 24,166 ha. It consists of 2 islands, wetlands and the coast, and beautiful nature such as the sea, mountains, wild flowers and wetlands is highlight. Because the Northern Hokkaido has few famous tourist attracsions, the national park is one of the most famous nature tourist attracsions. The Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park is divided into 4 areas, Rishiri Area (利尻), Rebun Area (礼文), Coastal Sand-dune Area (海浜砂丘) and Sarobetsu Area (サロベツ), and the Rishiri Area (利尻), the Rebun Area (礼文) and the Sarobetsu Area have a lot of highlights.

Rishiri IslandRebun IslandSarobetsu PlainCoastal Sand-dune Area

In the Rishiri Area, Rishirifuji that is an icon of the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park towers up, and the mountain ridge is beautiful from anywhere in the national park. The Rebun Area is called "Floating island of flowers", and about 300 types of wild flowers containing Rebun Lady's Slipper Orchid (レブンアツモリソウ) and Leontopodium Discolor (レブンウスユキソウ) that are seen only in the Rebun Island are full in bloom in a summer. The Sarobetsu Area has Sarobetsu Plain that is famous as the largest high moor in the Japan, and life such Yellow-breasted Bunting and Zootoca Vivipara that are seen only in the Hokkaido in the Japan inhabit, and 90 types of wild birds can be watched.Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Movie of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park

Beautiful sceneries appear in Japanese movie "A Chorus of Angels (北のカナリア達)" that Ms. Sayuri Yoshinaga (吉永小百合), a famous actress, played a roll, and various places in the Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park were used as a shooting place. Visiting the real-life locations is also popular.

Movie of A Chorus of Angels

I introduce about the Rishiri Island on the 1st page, and introduce about the Rebun Island on the 2nd page. I introduce about the Sarobetsu Plain on the 3rd page.

Rishiri Island

Rishiri Island (利尻島) that about 5,400 people live is an almost circular island, and the circumference of the island is 60 km. The Rishiri means "A tall island" in Ainu language. About 300,000 tourists come the popular isolated island. Speaking of the Rishiri, Rishiri Konbu is very famous, and it is well-known as a luxury ingredient through the Japan. Sea urchin that eats the Rishiri Konbu and grows is one of noted products in the Rishiri, too. The Mt. Rishirifuji that is most famous in the Rishiri Island towers up in the cetnter of the island, and hiking for the mountain and island tourism are mainly popular. The Rishiri Island is roughly divided into 4 districts, Oshidomari District (鴛泊) with a ferry port and an air port, Kutsugata District (沓形) with a ferry port, Senboushi District (仙法志) and Oniwaki District (鬼脇).

Mt. Rishirifuji from Oshidomari Port

Movie of Rishiri Island

Rishiri KonbuSea Urchin

Cape Peshi (ペシ岬展望台), Yuhigaoka Observation Deck (夕日ヶ丘展望台), Fujino-enchi Park (富士野園地), Kanrosensui Spring (甘露泉水) and Himenuma Pond (姫沼) are famous tourist attracions in the Oshidomari District. Kutsugata-misaki Park (沓形岬公園), Mikaeridaienchi Observation Deck (見返台園地) and Kamui Coast Park (神居海岸パーク) that sea urchin catching can be experienced are famous in the Kutsugata District. Senboushi-misaki Park (仙法志御崎公園) is famous for a harbor seal in the Snboushi District, and Minamihama Wetland (南浜湿原), Otatomari Pond (オタトマリ沼) and Numaura Observation Deck (沼浦展望台) are famous in the Onishika District.

Sea Urchin Catching ExperienceSun Drying KelpSea Kayak

Speaking of tasty restaurants in the Rishiri, Isoyakitei (磯焼亭), Miraku (味楽), Bistro-ya Coelacanth (ビストロヤ シーラカンス) are given bib gourmand by the Michelin Hokkaido. Sato Shokudo (さとう食堂) is given michelin plate by the Michelin Hokkaido. In addition, Grand Spot (グランスポット), Rishiri Kameichi (利尻亀一), Tairyotei (大漁亭) and Mirupisu Store (ミルピス商店) are popular in particular. By the way, hot springs gush out in the island, and Rishirifuji Onsen (利尻富士温泉) and Rishiri Fureai Onsen (利尻ふれあい温泉) have hot spring resources. The Rishiri has some events. Rhishiri Island Yuyu-running Tournament (利尻島一周悠遊覧人G) is held only in a day, early June, and Kitami Shrine and Rishiriyama Shrine Festival (北見神社・利尻山神社例大祭) is held between 5 days from late June to early July, and Northern Island Festival (北海島まつり) and Rishiri Floating Island Festival (利尻浮島祭り) are held between 5days in early August, and Sea Urchin Festival (うにうにフェスティバル) is held only in a day, mid August, and One Round Cycling Tournament (利尻島一周ふれあいサイクリング) is held only in a day, late August.

Means of transportation to the Rishiri Island are a ferry and an airplane. The ferry service runs between Oshidomari Port and Wakkanai Port or Kafuka Port in Rebun Island, and runs between Kutsugata Port and the Kafuka Port only from June to September. A flight service runs between Rishiri Airport and Okadama Airport in Sapporo through the year, and runs between the Rishiri Airport and New Chitose Airport only from June to September. There are some means of transportation for the island tourism, for example, a sightseeing bus and a fixed-route bus managed by Soya bus (宗谷バス), a sightseeing taxi, a rental car, a rental motor scooter and a rental bicycle. I went around the Rishiri Island by the rental motor scooter, and it was very comfortable. By the way, if tourists raise their hand in the case of fixed-route bus happening to pass, they can get on the bus without a bus stop, and can get off the bus without a bus stop.

Mt. Rishiri

Mt. Rishiri (利尻山) is a lofty mountain in the center of the Rishiri Island. The another name is "Mt. Rishirifuji". It is an active volcano of 1,721 m elevation, and has been chosen as one of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山) and 100 famous Japanese floral mountains (花の百名山), and a lot of hikers from all over the Japan come to go up the popular mountain. There are 3 hiking courses, Oniwaki Course (鬼脇ルート) located in the southern part of the island, Kutsugata Course (沓形ルート) located in the western part of the island and Oshidomari Course (鴛泊ルート) located in the northern part of the island. The mountain has 2 peaks, the north peak at 1,719 m above sea level and the south peak at 1,721 m above sea level. But the south peak has been in danger of the collapse, and entering above the 7th stage of the Mt. Rishirifuji has been prohibited from the Oniwaki Course. Therefore, a lot of hikers go up to the north peak from the Kutsugata Course and the Oshidomari Course commonly.

Most of the hikers go up the Oshidomari Course, and even beginner hikers are easy to go up the mountain because a mountain trail is good condition. A rough hiking time is about 6 hours. As for the Kutsugata Course, hikers can go to the 5th station by their cars, so a hiking distance is short, but the hikers must go up steep slopes. In addition, there are difficult hiking places such as Soikonage-no-Nansho (背負子投げの難所) that the hikers go up the mountain while using a chain and a rope with their hands and Oyashirazukoshirazu (親不知子不知) that is risk of falling rocks, it may be difficult to go up if the hikers is not expert. A rough hiking time is about 5 hours.

Oshidomari Course

Kutsugata Course

Wild flowers only in the Mt. Rishiri can be seen in the upper part of the mountain. Endemic species of the Rishiri Island are Papaver fauriei Fedde (リシリヒナゲシ) and Trollius riederianus var (ボタンキンバイ). Those are in bloom from early July to mid July. The wild flowers are beautiful near the mountaintop at this time. In addition, please bring a portable toilet during hiking because a restroom is not built along the trails. By the way, backcountry is popular in a winter.

Cirsium Umezawanum

Movie of Backcountry in Mt. Rishiri

Rishiri Town and Rishirifuji Town, Rishiri District

Oshidomari ferry terminal --> (Approximately 8 hours on foot)

Kanrosensui Spring

Kanrosensui Spring (甘露泉水) is a famous spring in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and the spring is gushing out along Mt. Rishirifuji (利尻富士) Trail "Oshidomari Course (鴛泊コース)" of the 3rd station at 290 m above sea level. Water temperature is 5.5 degrees through the year, and it is soft water with tasty and very cold. Because everybody felt water to be sweet, it was named as the Kanrosensui * The Kanro means "Seet tasty thing" in English. The mild taste underground water of the Mt. Rishirifuji has a good reputation, so it has been chosen as one of the Selected 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters in Japan (日本名水百選). The official name of the Mt. Rishirifuji is Mt. Rishirizan. It is an active volcano of 1,721 m elevation, and has been chosen as one of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山) and 100 famous Japanese floral mountains (花の百名山), and a lot of hikers from all over the Japan come to go up the popular mountain. A trailhead of the Oshidomari Course is at Rishiri Hokuroku Camping Ground (利尻北麓野営場), and a camping ground is built. A cup of coffee using the Kanrosensui Spring is sold at Hokuroku Camping Ground Administration Building, too. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Very Tasty Soft Water. Glass Is Provided, too

Cape Peshi

Cape Peshi (ペシ岬) is a cape near Yuhigaoka Observation Deck (夕日ヶ丘展望台) in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is also a lookout point adjacent to Oshidomari Port (鴛泊港). The cape is famous for seeing the beautiful sunset. Peshi means "A cliff" in Ainu language. As its name suggests, the cape is a rocky mountain with precipitous cliffs. The elevation is 93 m. Peshimisaki Observation Deck (ペシ岬展望台) is built on the mountaintop, and nice 360-degree view can be seen. Besides the observation deck, Oshidomari Lighthouse (鴛泊灯台), Oshidomari Peshimisaki Open Space (鴛泊ペシ岬広場) and Graveyard for 3 Feudal Retainers of Aizu Clan (会津藩士墓碑) are built at the site. Tourist facilities such as a parking lot, a restroom and a souvenir shop are not built. Admission free. Article is here

Cape Peshi

Yuhigaoka Observation Deck

Yuhigaoka Observation Deck (夕日ヶ丘展望台) is a lookout point between Cape Peshi (ペシ岬) and Fujinoenchi Park (富士野園地) in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is relatively near Oshidomari Ferry Terminal (鴛泊フェリーターミナル). As its name suggests, the small cape was named after seeing the beautiful sunset. * Yuhi means "The sunset" in English, and gaoka means "A hill of" in English. The cape is half as tall as Cape Peshi (ペシ岬), so this place is a good place to see the beautiful sunset without difficulty. In daytime, beautiful views such as Mt. Rishirifuji and blue sea can be viewed. Only the observation deck and a parking lot are built at the site. Tourist facilities such as a restroom and a souvenir shop are not built. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Sunset from Yuhigaoka Observation Deck

Fujinoenchi Park

Fujinoenchi Park (富士野園地) is a lookout point in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is next to Yuhigaoka Observation Deck (夕日ヶ丘展望台). Grass lands spread over on cliffs of 15-20 m elevation, and Yezo Daylily is in full bloom from late June to mid July, so a conbination of green grass and yellow flowers can be seen. A parking lot and a public restroom are built at the site. There are not tourist facilities such as a souvenir shop. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Whole Fujinoenchi Park

Himenuma Pond and Himenuma Obseravation Deck

Himenuma Pond (姫沼) is a man-made pond at about 120 m above sea level in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is relatively near Nozuka Observation Deck (野塚展望台). The perimeter of the pond is about 800 m, and the maximum depth is about 4 m. It is the almost circular pond surrounded by virgin forests. The fish pond for kokanee (* The Kokanee means "姫鱒" in Japanese) has been made since 1917, so it was named as the Himenuma Pond. Here is a popular tourist attraction, and is well-known as a beautiful view of reflection of the rversed Mt. Rishirifuji on the water of the pond. Around the pond is called "Himenumaenchi Park (姫沼園地)", and it is easy to look around. A cycling road and a hiking course are built near here. Himenuma Obseravation Deck (姫沼展望台) is on the way to the Himenuma Pond, and a sea view can be seen. Article is here

Himenuma Pond

Nozuka Observation Deck

Nozuka Observation Deck (野塚展望台) is a lookout point beside Hotel Unigoden (ホテル雲丹御殿) that is famous for sea urchin dishes in the northern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is built at about 15 m above sea level beside a beach near Cape Nozuka (野塚岬). It is relatively close to Himenuma Pond (姫沼). Cape Peshi (ペシ岬), Oshidomari Port (鴛泊港) and Mt. Rishirifuji (利尻富士) can be seen from here. The setting sun from here is also good. Nozuka Parking Park (野塚駐輪駐車公園) with a parking lot and a public restroom is built in the other side across a road. Here is not famous, so few people come. Asmission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Artilce is this

Nozuka Observation Deck

Mikaeridaienchi Observation Deck

Mikaeridaienchi Observation Deck (見返台園地) is a lookout point in the western part of Rishiri Island (利尻島). Magnificent Mt. Rishirifuji can be looked up, and the sea view can be viewed. The official name of the Mt. Rishirifuji is Mt. Rishirizan. It is an active volcano of 1,721 m elevation, and has been chosen as one of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (日本百名山) and 100 famous Japanese floral mountains (花の百名山), and a lot of hikers from all over the Japan come to go up the popular mountain. The Mikaeridaienchi Observation Deck at about 450 m above sea level is a trailhead of Kustugata Course (沓形コース) located at the 5th station of the Mt. Rishirifuji. A resting place, a public restroom and an automatic vending machine are beside a parking lot. That is the last restroom from this point, so hikers should go to the restroom before going up the mountain. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

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Look of Observation Deck

Senboshi-misaki Park

Senboshi-misaki Park (仙法志御崎公園) is a park in the most southern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is the rocky seaside with a lot of strangely shaped rocks made from lave of Mt. Rishirifuji. Here is a pond surrounded by rocks like a fish preserve, and is famous for watching a harbor seal. Besides, Here is a lookout point to see the sea and Mt. Rishirifuji at the same time. A souvenir shop named "Kanko Misaki Bussan (観光御崎物産)", a resting place, a public restroom and a parking lot are built at the site. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Mt. Rishirifuji and Sea

Otatomari Pond

Otatomari Pond (オタトマリ沼) is the largest pond in the southern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島). The perimeter of the pond is about 1.1 km, and the depth is about 3.5 m. In Numaura Wetland (沼浦湿原), the pond is near Mikazuki Pond (三日月沼). The Otatomari means "An inlet with a sandy beach" in Ainu language. A reversed image of Mt. Rishirifuji (利尻富士) reflected on the surface of the pond and Mt. Rishirifuji can be seen at the same time if the weather is fine, and here is a popular tourist attraction. The Otatomari Pond is near Minamihama Wetland (南浜湿原) and Numaura Obseravation Deck (沼浦展望台), and Rishiri Island Wetland Group (利尻島湿地群) containing the Minamihama Wetland and Numaura Wetland (沼浦湿原) has been chosen as one of 500 Important Wetlands in Japan (日本の重要湿地500). A large parking lot, a public restroom, Rishirifuji Town Resthouse (利尻富士町レストハウス) and Rishiri Kameichi Otatomari Branch (利尻亀一オタトマリ沼店) are built at the south bank of the pond. Grilled scallops, a sea urchin battleship roll sushi (うにの軍艦巻き), a striped bamboo flavored soft serve ice cream (熊笹ソフト), a perpetual snow soft serve ice cream (万年雪ソフト) and Mirupis (ミルピス) have a good reputation. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Otatomari Pond

Numaura Obseravation Deck

Numaura Obseravation Deck (沼浦展望台) is a lookout point in the southern part of Rishiri Island (利尻島). Mt. Rishirifuji (利尻富士), Otatomari Pond (オタトマリ沼), Numaura Wetland (沼浦湿原), Numaura Beach (沼浦海岸) and the sea of Japan can be viewed on a hill at about 43 m above sea level. Its another name is Shiroi Koibito Hill (白い恋人の丘). Mr. Yukiyasu Ishizumi (石水幸安), a founder of Ishiya Confectionery (石屋製菓), was impressed with a shape of the Mt. Rishirifuji like a shape of mountains in Switzerland, so he adopted the mountain as an image of package of Shiroi Koibito (白い恋人), one of the most famous cookies in Hokkaido. Therefore here is also named as the another name because the image of the package resembles the shape of the Mt. Rishirifuji from here. Numaura Camping Ground (沼浦キャンプ場) is close to here. Only a parking lot is provided, and tourist facilities such as a public restroom and a souvenir shop are not built. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Otatomari Pond from Numaura Obseravation Deck

Kustugata-misaki Park

Kustugata-misaki Park (沓形岬公園) is a park at Cape Kustugata located in the westernmost tip of Rishiri Island (利尻島), and is also a lookout point next to Kustugata port (沓形港). The park is famous for seeing beautiful rising sun and sunset. The park covered with lava rocks, Kustugata-misaki Lighthouse (沓形岬灯台), Kustugata-misaki Park Camping Ground (沓形岬公園キャンプ場), a parking lot and a public restroom are built at the site. A coin-operated laundry is also provided at the camp ground, and it is very useful for riders or campers. By the way, a round road around the park is one-way road. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Cape Kustugata

Minamihama Wetland

Minamihama Wetland (南浜湿原) is the Rishiri Island's largest high moor in the southern part of the Rishiri Island, and is near Numaura Obseravation Deck (沼浦展望台) and Otatomari Pond (オタトマリ沼), and Rishiri Island Wetland Group (利尻島湿地群) containing the Minamihama Wetland and Numaura Wetland (沼浦湿原) has been chosen as one of 500 Important Wetlands in Japan (日本の重要湿地500). But the area is about 6 ha. It is not so large. The Minamihama Wetland is high moors at about 5 m above sea level, and Sphagnum Moss grows thick at lowlands near the sea, and it is a rare place in Japan. A forest of Japanese Spruce spreads over the area around Menyushoro Pond (メヌウショロ沼), and 2 wooden paths are built to look around on foot at the wetland. A sightseeing bus does not drop tourists off here, so few tourists come. Visitors can enjoy to go around the Minamihama Wetland leisurely, and it becomes a popular sightseeing spot secretly. Mt. Rishirifuji can be seen in the daytime, and beautiful starry sky can be seen in the evening. A parking lot and a public restroom are built at the site. There are not tourist facilities such as a souvenir shop. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Around Menyushoro Pond

List of Tasty Foods

Speaking of the Rishiri, the Rishiri Konbu is famous. Ramen using soup broth from the Rishiri kombu and sea urchins that ate the Rishiri Konbu got the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition. In addition, The Mirupisu Drinks only in the Rishiri Island is popular with a lot of fans. Speaking of the tasty restaurants in the Rishiri, the Isoyakitei, the Miraku, the Bistro-ya Coelacanth are given bib gourmand by the Michelin Hokkaido. The Sato Shokudo is given michelin plate by the Michelin Hokkaido. In addition, the Grand Spot, the Rishiri Kameichi, the Tairyotei and the Mirupisu Store are popular in particular. My having foods are as follows.

Grilling Miso Flavored Seared Atka Mackerel

Mirupisu Drinks

Mirupisu Store (ミルピス商店) is a popular juice store near Cape Kustugata in Kustugata, Rishiri island, and is located in the western part of the island. Speaking of the Rishiri, Kombu or Mirupisu (ミルピス) are famous. The mirupisu is well-known as a homemade lactic acid drink sold only in the Rishiri Island. Mrs. Yachiyo Morihara (森原八千代) that is also known as Obachan (おばちゃん * A lady) is a shop owner. After they discontinued their ranch, they have sold the Mirupisu since 1965. Juices made from edible wild plants and nuts in the Rishiri as well as the Mirupis are also sold. They accept to deliver packages to anywhere in Japan by fax. Article is here

Mirupisu

Sea Urchin Rice Bowl

Isoyakitei (磯焼亭) is a restaurant in front of Oshidomari Ferry Port in Rishiri Island and is famous for getting the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition. Because ramen seemed to be popular, but I wanted to eat a sea urchin which grew up and eat Rishiri kombu, I visited to eat Fresh Sea Urchin Rice Bowl (生ウニ丼) limited from June to September around 17:00 on weekdays. Article is here

Sea Urchin Rice Bowl

Fried Soy Sauce Broth Ramen

Miraku (味楽) is a popular ramen restraunt in Rishiri island. There is a building near Kustugata port (沓形港). It is famous for getting the Bib Gourmand in MICHELIN GUIDE Hokkaido 2012 Special Edition and is known for very short business hours from 11:30 to 14:00, too. Article is here

Fried Soy Sauce Broth Ramen

List of Onsen

In the Rishiri Island, Tourists can enjoy the hot springs at the Rishirifuji Onsen, the Rishiri Fureai Onsen and Kita-no-shima (北のしーま). The Rishirifuji Onsen and the Rishiri Fureai Onsen have the hot spring resources, and the hot springs are delivered from the Rishirifuji Onsen to the Kita-no-shima by a tanker. My visited place is as follows.

Rishiri Fureai OnsenKita-no-shima

Rishirifuji Onsen

Rishirifuji Onsen (利尻富士温泉) is a hot spring place in Rishiri Island (利尻島) located in the northern part of Hokkaido. Rishirifuji Onsen Recreation Facility (利尻富士温泉保養施設) is around 1.5 km away from Oshidomari Ferry Terminal. It is near the center of the Oshidomari, and restaurants, a convenience store and Izakaya are built there. Cape Peshi (ペシ岬展望台), Yuhigaoka Observatory (夕日ヶ丘展望台), Fujino-enchi Observatory (富士野園地) and Kanrosensui Spring (甘露泉水) are relatively near here, too. By the way, Speaking of tasty restaurants in the Rishiri, Rishiri Kameichi (利尻亀一) and Grand Spot (グランスポット) are popular in particular. But I have never eaten foods there. I ate foods at Miraku (味楽), Mirupisu Stoer (ミルピス商店) and Isoyakitei (磯焼亭), and those were tasty. Article is here

Rishirifuji Onsen

List of Events

Some events are held in the Rishiri Island. Especially, a lot of the events are held in August.

Movie of Rhishiri Island Yuyu-running Tournament

Movie of Kitami Shrine and Rishiriyama Shrine Festival

Movie of Northern Island Festival

Movie of Rishiri Floating Island Festival

Movie of One Round Cycling Tournament

List of Activities

Refer to following websites for the activity companies in the Rishiri. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Blog Writer:good! hokkaido!

I am from Nayoro, and used to live in Kushiro and Sapporo, and have been back Hokkaido after I lived in Kanagawa prefecture for 14 years again. Around 50-year-Japanese old boy mainly have released articles that I found nature, tourist attractions, onsen and foods in the Hokkaido to the non-Hokkaido people. I am bad English, so I apologize if you do not understand the meaning. Using photos are my photos, free images, various tourism associations’ photos and photos cited from official websites and so on. Reproduction of my photos and texts from within this site is prohibited.As for my photos, I used to provide those for profit, but I stop providing the photos now. Most of youtube movies belong to others, and I just share those on my blog.